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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

There's no sure way to prevent lung cancer, but you can reduce your risk if you:

  • Don't smoke. If you've never smoked, don't start. Talk to your children about not smoking so that they can understand how to avoid this major risk factor for lung cancer. Many current smokers began smoking in their teens. Begin conversations about the dangers of smoking with your children early so that they know how to react to peer pressure.
  • Stop smoking. Stop smoking now. Quitting reduces your risk of lung cancer, even if you've smoked for years. Talk to your doctor about strategies and stop-smoking aids that can help you quit. Options include nicotine replacement products, medications and support groups.
  • Avoid secondhand smoke. If you live or work with a smoker, urge him or her to quit. At the very least, ask him or her to smoke outside. Avoid areas where people smoke, such as bars and restaurants, and seek out smoke-free options.
  • Test your home for radon. Have the radon levels in your home checked, especially if you live in an area where radon is known to be a problem. High radon levels can be remedied to make your home safer. For information on radon testing, contact your local department of public health or a local chapter of the American Lung Association.
  • Avoid carcinogens at work. Take precautions to protect yourself from exposure to toxic chemicals at work. In the United States, your employer must tell you if you're exposed to dangerous chemicals in your workplace. Follow your employer's precautions. For instance, if you're given a face mask for protection, always wear it. Ask your doctor what more you can do to protect yourself at work. Your risk of lung damage from these carcinogens increases if you smoke.
  • Eat a diet full of fruits and vegetables. Choose a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables. Food sources of vitamins and nutrients are best. Avoid taking large doses of vitamins in pill form, as they may be harmful. For instance, researchers hoping to reduce the risk of lung cancer in heavy smokers gave them beta carotene supplements. Results showed the supplements actually increased the risk of cancer in smokers.
  • Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Limit yourself to one drink a day if you're a woman or two drinks a day if you're a man. Anyone age 65 and older should drink no more than one drink a day.
  • Exercise. Aim to achieve at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. Check with your doctor first if you aren't already exercising regularly. Start out slowly and continue adding more activity. Biking, swimming and walking are good choices. Add exercise throughout your day — park farther away from work and walk the rest of the way or take the stairs rather than the elevator.
Coping and support
References
  1. Non-small cell lung cancer. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/nscl.pdf. Accessed Sept. 23, 2009.
  2. Estimated new cancer cases and deaths. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MED/content/downloads/MED_1_1x_CFF2009_Est_Cancer_Cases_Deaths.asp. Accessed Sept. 25, 2009.
  3. Small cell lung cancer. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/sclc.pdf. Accessed Sept. 23, 2009.
  4. Johnson DH, et al. Cancer of the lung: Non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:1307.
  5. What you need to know about lung cancer. National Cancer Institute. http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/lung/allpages/print. Accessed Sept. 23, 2009.
  6. Lung cancer prevention (PDQ): Patient version. National Cancer Institute. http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/lung/patient/allpages/print. Accessed Sept. 23, 2009.
  7. Cancer of the lung and bronchus. Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results. http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/lungb.html. Accessed Sept. 25, 2009.
  8. Questions to ask your medical team. Lung Cancer Alliance. http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/facing/questions.html. Accessed Sept. 23, 2009.
  9. Lung cancer screening (PDQ): Patient version. National Cancer Institute. http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/lung/patient/allpages/print. Accessed Sept. 23, 2009.
  10. Avastin (prescribing information). South San Francisco, Calif.: Genentech Inc.; 2009. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/125085s0168lbl.pdf. Accessed Sept. 25, 2009.
  11. Tarceva (prescribing information). Melville, N.Y.: OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc.; 2009. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/021743s015lbl.pdf. Accessed Sept. 25, 2009.
  12. Kvale PA, et al. Palliative care in lung cancer. Chest. 2007;132(suppl):368S.
  13. Cassileth BR, et al. Complementary therapies and integrative oncology in lung cancer. Chest. 2007:132(suppl):340S.

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Nov. 10, 2009

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